By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nina Hughes, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Crew members aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the "Gold Eagle," are making preparations for a Shipboard Coordinated On-load and Outfitting Plan (SCOOP) slated to begin Feb. 12 at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard in Newport News.
The SCOOP process involves reloading much of the shipboard equipment removed when the aircraft carrier began its scheduled 40-month refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) in 2005, and is one of the largest evolutions the crew will perform before Carl Vinson Sailors move back aboard ship in late 2008.
"Our own Sailors and departments will form working parties to bring necessary equipment back on board," said Senior Chief Ship's Serviceman (AW/SW) Jeffrey Davidson, the ship's SCOOP representative. "Teamwork will be the key to success for this evolution, but that's a trait our crew is known for."
Because some spaces on board are still undergoing the refurbishment process inherent to a RCOH, spaces with locks and proper lighting will be the first to be reoutfitted with equipment.
According to the planners of the SCOOP evolution, starting the equipment on-load process now enables the ship and its crew to facilitate a more seamless crew move-aboard evolution later in the year.
"Taking care of SCOOP within the next couple of months will cause less confusion and more organization with our crew move-aboard," said Chief Information Systems Technician (AW/SW) David Bucko. "There's a lot of organization involved with a SCOOP and we may have to fine tune our processes, but it won't take long for us to establish an efficient routine."
This routine will involve Sailors from every department aboard the aircraft carrier. Those involved in the SCOOP process will work closely coordinated schedules with crew members assigned to refurbishment teams and Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard employees, so space refurbishment and equipment on-load can happen simultaneously.
Once SCOOP is completed, crew move-aboard will begin and the ship will be one step closer in returning to operational status.
"We have a very capable crew, so we can handle all steps necessary to make SCOOP a success," said Bucko. "There's a lot of motivation from our Sailors in doing this right, because there's a general sense of excitement about moving back aboard."
But Bucko said Carl Vinson's crew has an intangible trait that's behind the success of every shipyard evolution; teamwork.
"Our crew takes the phrase 'one team, one fight' to a higher level every day," said Bucko. "This mission is the same as any other we've come across, in that we will undoubtedly succeed by working together."
Carl Vinson is currently undergoing its scheduled RCOH at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. The RCOH is an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle.
